It was a cool March day, still not really spring a heavy cold hung in the air as heavy rain rushed to the ground.
Gem sat on the sofa, hid mostly under her blankey, clinging firmly and tightly to Grub as Zee-Zee paced quietly just in front of her; like a guard on patrol.
"Is okies Sis, am not gonna let any thunder gets you!" Zee-Zee said proudly, adjusting his shortall straps slightly.
"Fankoo Zee-Zee." Gem said quiety, her fur still on edge from a low onimous rumble earlier.

"Eeeek!" Zee-Zee jumped up onto the couch beside Gem as there was a loud knock at the door.
"I got you sis!" Zee-Zee blushed slightly trying to look really grown up as he cuddled in under the blanket, hiding with Gem as Zena, Zee-Zee's mum answered the door.
Standing under an umbrella were Abbey, Gem's mum and holding it for her was Runt.
Zena smiled a little and welcomed them both in, "You had a nice morning?" She asked pleasantly shooting Abbey a knowing look.
Abbey blushed firmly as she nodded, "All charged up with happy, now where's my little precious Gem?"
"Mummy! Mummy!!" Gem gurgled excitedly, "We hiding from the thumbers!"
"Ooooh I think I can hear her!" Abbey giggled slinking quietly over to the couch as Zena and Runt watched quietly.

"Is she ... under the couch?" Abbey asked looking under the couch just in case Gem was watching.
"Noooo! Mummy! Mummy!!" Gem giggled excitedly flapping her arms a bit; the blanket slipping off from the two hiding cubs onto the floor.
"Iiiiiisssss she... on the roof?!" Abbey asked looking up directly at the roof, pretending not to see the bouncing giggling Gem.
"Mummy! Mummy!! AM HERE!!" Gem gigglesqueeked softly, sliding down the couch and into Abbey.
"Ooooh there's my baby girl!" Abbey said cuddling her arms around Gem lovingly giving her a little smooch on the cheek
"Mummy, Zee-Zee and I were hiding from the lightning and then you came! Fankooo!" Gem gurgled as Abbey smiled nodnodding every so often, but having no idea what the little cub was saying.
"Ooooh is that right?" Abbey asked as Gem stopped for a second, "Well you sound adorable missy, maybe we should put you down for a nap."
Abbey slipped her paw in checking Gem's diaper surprised that for once, the little squirrel was dry.
"Noooooooo! No Nap!" Gem protested crossing her arms, "I no sleepy! I be goods!" She squeeked hopefully.

Abbey smiled and fuzzled her head sighing a little, "Okies, okies no nap... But if you fall asleep whilst Zena and I are having coffee you gonna have to be carried home."
Gem shook her head, "No sleepies..."
Abbey beeped Gem's nose softly and smiled lovingly at her, before standing and walking towards the kitchen.
Zena followed fuzzling Zee-Zee's hair softly kneeling down to give him a soft kiss as he watched quietly.
"Thank you mommy." Zee-Zee said happily sitting quietly on the couch.
"Why don't you and Gem play with uncle Runt?" Zena asked slipping into the kitchen with Abbey.

Runt sat on the floor blushing slightly at the two cubs, "Hi baby, champ, you having a nice day?"
Zee-Zee scampered across cuddling up against the dog, "Nuuuuh is icky we been hiding from thunders and lightnings alllllllll day."
"Oooh I see..." Runt nodded softly, cuddling Gem up from the couch setting her down on his long soft fluffy tail.
Gem beamed rubrubing her paws into the soft fur curling up happily against the warmth, Uncle Runt always had a slightly odd strange nice smelling scent that made her feel comfortable.
"How about I keep you two distracted with a story?" Runt smiled reaching into his pocket and pulling out a old slightly tattered book.
"Storytime?!" Zee-Zee giggled leaning in listening, "Please! Please!!"
Runt beamed and patpatted Zee-Zee softly, "Of course champ."
"It was a stormy rainy day, not totally unlike just now, and all the grown ups were heading to work." Runt began as Zee-Zee listened totally enthralled, whilst Gem warm and comfortable on a long fuzzy tail started to drift off to sleep.

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Original art by the incredibly  Lincub

Runt with  Zee-Zee and  toddlergirl